A Look Through Time

Not to mention the success Elevate has had in gathering resources for those who will utilize the center, the physical space we occupy has greatly changed since renovations began nearly a year ago. When Rural King, ‘America’s Farm and Home Store’ first provided us with the space, there was much progress to be made before we would have the innovative work center that is present in the Cross County Mall today.

As of today, the finishing touches are being completed in the workspace. We are appreciative of our contractors who are completing the final installs for our equipment lockers and televisions. Finally standing in the center, the colorful open workspace speaks volumes of everyone involved in every step of the process of creating our center. Our colorful furniture area, booth design, and open layout have truly shaped a beautiful co-collaborative workspace to benefit entrepreneurs in our region.

We at Elevate CCIC, Inc. would like to thank everyone who has supported our mission to encourage, connect and grow small and startup businesses in the region by creating a mixed-use, co-working space that provides resources and opportunities to empower success. Since the conception of our organization, creating a greater community that nurtures

innovation and economic prosperity in the Coles County region through a collaborative community of entrepreneurs has been our vision. Elevate has made developmental strides of success since the idea for our center was first organized. Going into the future, we see great success generated through the various programs we have to offer entrepreneurs.

Current programming for Elevate includes the ‘Grow With Google’ program provides digital resources, workshops and discussions organized by our supporter Google.org.

Words cannot fully express the excitement we have towards the coming months, following final installation and the state’s ‘Shelter in Place’ order we stand eager to put new start-ups in motion and further develop small businesses.

In coordination with Lake Land College, the ‘Lakeland Initiative’ is organized to provide full members of Elevate with an opportunity to receive limited tuition waivers for a Business Development Certificate through Lake Land College.

We are glad to support our Veterans in co-operating with Code Platoon, this program provides educational opportunities to veterans and their spouses through a 14 week coding course.

Elevate is proud to use the ‘4-H Farmbot’ in our center to use and showcase agricultural development by facilitating 4-H after school programming.

Additionally, our ‘Simple Accelerator Program’ is in place to help entrepreneurs build financially feasible business plans and access low interest revolving loans.

The accomplishments achieved by our center would not be possible without you, our supporter. The team at Elevate owes the most sincere thank you to everyone who has provided the resources needed for our center. We hope our continued success will inspire our supporters to continue to work towards providing a co-collaborative business incubation center in order to spur growth in our community.